A TAUNTON care agency which helps those suffering with ME has been rated as outstanding by inspectors.

Blue Moon Care Limited, in Hamilton Road, received an outstanding rating for a second time following an inspection in October by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors rated the service outstanding both overall and for being caring, responsive to peoples’ needs and well led. It was also rated as good for being safe and effective.

Blue Moon Care was established to provide personal care to people living in their own home with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Encephalopathy (ME), inspectors said.

At the time of the inspection one person was currently receiving personal care from the agency. They provided wellbeing services to two other people.

Amanda Stride, head of adult social care inspection in the South West, said: "Blue Moon Care Limited has continued to maintain their standards and gain another overall Outstanding rating for the care they provide.

“People were receiving exceptional care with services being developed and tailored to their individual needs and at the same time promoting independence and engagement with the community.

“People were treated with compassion and kindness with staff spending time getting to know people to build meaningful and valued relationships with them.

“It was clear throughout the inspection, that the staff took pride in their work and went the extra mile for the people they supported. Not only have they kept to a level of excellence but they have taken our report to heart and tried to explore what else they could do to improve the care they offer their clients. I would like to congratulate the service on attaining an overall rating of Outstanding again.”

READ MORE: Click here to view the full report (opens external website)

Some of the key findings from the inspection include:

  • People received an excellent personalised service because staff understood their needs. Staff were committed to enabling people live fulfilling lives and supported them to achieve their goals.
  • People who used the service had developed very close friendships with staff. When people were less well and unable to go out much, staff were increasingly using technology to support them. This allowed them to maintain social contact and prevent isolation.
  • Managers and staff worked to give people with ME a voice through the continual development of a project called 'ME Uncut.' They also worked with a member of a panel of experts developing clinical guidelines about ME for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)